title: Assessment of predictive molecular variables in feline oral squamous cell carcinoma treated with stereotactic radiation therapy.
abstract: This study evaluated molecular characteristics that are potentially prognostic in cats with oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) that underwent stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT). Survival time (ST) and progression-free interval (PFI) were correlated with mitotic index, histopathological grades, Ki67 and epidermal growth factor receptor expressions, tumour microvascular density (MVD), and tumour oxygen tension (pO(2)). Median ST and PFI were 106 and 87 days, respectively (n = 20). Overall response rate was 38.5% with rapid improvement of clinical symptoms in many cases. Patients with higher MVD or more keratinized SCC had significantly shorter ST or PFI than patients with lower MVD or less keratinized SCC (P = 0.041 and 0.049, respectively). Females had significantly longer PFI and ST than males (P ≤ 0.016). Acute toxicities were minimal. However, treatment-related complications such as fractured mandible impacted quality of life. In conclusion, SRT alone should be considered as a palliative treatment. MVD and degree of keratinization may be useful prognostic markers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoshikawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Ehrhart
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Charles
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Custis
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: LaRue
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002415:Cats; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D011379:Prognosis; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques / Q000662:veterinary*; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D066246:ErbB Receptors
keywords: feline oral squamous cell carcinoma; microvascular density; stereotactic radiation therapy